Dish drainer

ABSTRACT

A dish drying apparatus. The dish drying apparatus has two outlet lips, one on each end, both proximal to the same side. The dish drying apparatus also has two user-configurable configurations, such that the dish drying apparatus can be placed to either side of a sink and is capable of draining, through the outlet lip, into the sink.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 61/044,603 filed Apr. 14, 2008, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to dish drying racks used to containwet dishes after their washing, and the drain trays typically used belowsuch racks to collect drained off water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dish racks, used adjacent to the kitchen sink, are commonly used for thecollection of wet dishes subsequent to the manual washing of the dishesin the sink. Typically, dishes are washed, rinsed, and placed inspecialized compartments in the rack, still wet. A series of aperturesor holes extend through the bottom of the rack, through which water fromthe dishes is drained off by gravity.

A mat is sometimes used under the dish rack to absorb the water. Or, atray, generally sold with the rack, is positioned beneath the rack andincludes a tray floor, bounded by raised side walls, on which the rackis supported. Drainage water from the racked dishes collects in the trayfloor, out of contact with the dishes, accelerating drying. Many trayscomprise an outlet lip at one end of the tray floor, which is drapedover the sink, and from which collected water can be returned to thesink. This is commonly a ‘gap’ in the raised side wall, at the centre ofthe edge of the tray which is placed closest to the sink.

Other trays merely collect the water in the tray floor, for eventualdisposition by way of evaporation.

Dish drying racks and trays are likely as old as dishes themselves; U.S.Pat. No. 1,406,773, patented in 1922, describes a dish drying rack withan adjustable supporting means, allowing the tray to be placed at anangle to facilitate and expedite run-off of water into the sink. Variousconfigurations of dish drying racks and trays can be found in U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,835,232, 2,936,898, 5,588,539.

Combinations of dish rack and tray in one unit dates back to 1958 andU.S. Pat. No. 2,954,875. Dish racks have been taught to be foldable(U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,676), expandable (U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,134),adjustable (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,364,130, 5,318,190), storable (U.S. Pat.No. 5,158,184), and of various shapes and sizes (U.S. Pat. Nos.4,531,641, 6,491,170, 7,325,695, 2007/0151937, D347,717, D353,921,D397,534, and D432,750). Even some of the problems faced when shippingor displaying dish rack and tray combinations have been explored (U.S.Pat. No. 5,385,261).

Other dish drainage apparatus are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,119,943,4,221,299, 4,531,641, 4,969,560, and 4,756,582.

One problem with most known dish racks is that they take up a lot ofcountertop space. A dish rack is typically placed to the side of thesink, taking up “prime” countertop real estate. The rack takes up mostof the countertop, because the spout, outlet lip, or gap in the raisedsidewall needs to be placed over the sink, and this spout, outlet lip,or gap, either runs the entire width of the rack, or is located at thecentre of the rack.

It would be desirable to have a dish rack that does not use up this“prime” countertop real estate. In particular, it would be desirable tohave a dish rack and tray that can be pushed to the back of the countertop, while still capable of draining into the sink. It would also bedesirable if such a dish rack and tray is designed to be capable ofbeing placed to either side of the sink, without the need for re-toolingor for a store to stock two different racks or trays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention is a dish traycomprising: a floor, having an underside, a topside, a right edge, aleft edge, a front edge, and a back edge, and having a concave shapefrom said front edge to said back edge; a right endwall extendingupwardly from said right edge; a left endwall extending upwardly fromsaid left edge; said left endwall, right endwall, front edge and backedge forming a rim; a gap in said right endwall, forming a right outletlip, said gap located more proximal to the front edge than to the backedge; a second gap in said left endwall, forming a left outlet lip, saidgap located more proximal to the front edge than to the back edge; anelevation means, for elevating one edge of the floor relative to anotheredge of the floor; and having at least two, user selectableconfigurations; wherein in the first configuration, when the tray isplaced on a horizontal surface, the left edge is higher than the rightedge; and wherein in the second configuration, when the tray is placedon a horizontal surface, the right edge is higher than the left edge.

According to another aspect of the present invention is a dish traycomprising: a floor, having an underside, a topside, a right edge, aleft edge, a front edge, and a back edge; a right endwall extendingupwardly from said right edge; a left endwall extending upwardly fromsaid left edge; a front sidewall extending upwardly from said frontedge; a back sidewall extending upwardly from said back edge; said leftendwall, right endwall, front sidewall and back sidewall forming a rim;a gap in said right endwall, forming a right outlet lip, said gaplocated more proximal to the front edge than to the back edge; a secondgap in said left endwall, forming a left outlet lip, said gap locatedmore proximal to the front edge than to the back edge; an elevationmeans, for elevating one edge of the floor relative to another edge ofthe floor; and having at least two, user selectable configurations;wherein in the first configuration, when the tray is placed on ahorizontal surface, the left edge is higher than the right edge; andwherein in the second configuration, when the tray is placed on ahorizontal surface, the right edge is higher than the left edge.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in either configuration, theangle of the floor to the surface on which the floor is placed isbetween 4 and 5 degrees.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the dish tray whereinthe elevation means is a wire support attached to the underside of thefloor and capable of rotating from a first position more proximal to theright edge to a second position more proximal to the left edge.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the elevation means isat least one removable foot said foot capable of affixing to a rightfoot dock located on the underside of the floor and more proximal to theright edge than to the left edge, and also capable of affixing to a leftfoot dock located on the underside of the floor and more proximal to theleft edge than to the right edge.

In one embodiment, the at least one removable foot comprises tworemovable feet.

In a further embodiment, the dish tray further comprises at least onepermanent right foot located on an underside of the floor and moreproximal to the right edge than to the left edge, and at least onepermanent left foot located on an underside of the floor and moreproximal to the left edge than to the right edge.

In a further embodiment, the dish tray further comprises at least onepermanent right foot located on the underside of the floor and moreproximal to the right edge than to the left edge, and at least onepermanent left foot located on the underside of the floor and moreproximal to the left edge than to the right edge.

In yet a further embodiment, the elevation means has a base that is moredistal to the floor than a distal end of the permanent right foot and adistal end of the permanent left foot.

In yet a further embodiment, the dish tray further comprises at leastone permanent right foot located on the underside of the floor and moreproximal to the right edge than to the left edge, and at least onepermanent left foot located on the underside of the floor and moreproximal to the left edge than to the right edge.

In a further embodiment, the removable foot has a base that is moredistal to the floor than a distal end of the permanent right foot and adistal end of the permanent left foot.

Another aspect of the present invention is a dish drainer comprising thedish tray as previously described, and a rack element positioned on thetopside of the dish tray.

In a further embodiment, the dish tray and the rack element are onepiece.

In another embodiment, the dish tray and the rack element are twoseparate pieces.

In a further embodiment, the dish tray and the rack element areremovably affixed to one another.

In a further embodiment, the rack element comprises: a rack elementfloor; a plurality of ribs extending in a generally perpendicularorientation to the floor; wherein said ribs allow the stacking of dishesin a generally vertical orientation.

In a further embodiment, the dish drainer further comprises at least twodrain hole in said rack element floor, configured such that, when a wetdish is stacked, water drains through at least one drain hole onto thetopside of the dish tray floor.

In a further embodiment, the rack element floor and the dish tray floorare the same element.

In a further embodiment, the dish drainer further comprises at least onecutlery rack mount on the rack element, said cutlery rack mount capableof being affixed to a cutlery rack.

In a further embodiment, the at least one cutlery rack mount comprises aleft cutlery rack mount, proximal to the left endwall, and a rightcutlery rack mount, proximal to the right endwall.

In a further embodiment, the dish drainer further comprises a cutleryrack capable of affixing to the right cutlery rack mount, and, in analternative configuration capable of affixing to the left cutlery rackmount, said cutlery rack being capable of holding cutlery in a generallyvertical orientation, said cutlery rack having at least one cutlerydrain hole configured such that, when wet cutlery is placed in saidcutlery rack, water drains through the cutlery drain hole onto thetopside of the dish tray floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dish drainer that is one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the topside of the dish tray of the dish drainer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the underside of the dish tray of FIG. 2, with the wiresupport proximal to the left endwall.

FIG. 4 shows the underside of the dish tray of FIG. 2, with the wiresupport proximal to the right endwall.

FIG. 5 shows the wire support from FIGS. 3 and 4, in isolation.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the dish drainer of FIG. 1, in use, on theright side of a sink.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the dish drainer of FIG. 1, in use, on theleft side of a sink.

FIG. 8 shows the top view of the dish drainer of FIG. 1, in use, on theright side of a sink.

FIG. 9 shows the top view of the dish drainer of FIG. 1, in use, on theleft side of a sink.

FIG. 10 shows the top view of the rack element of the dish drainer ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows the bottom view of the rack element of the dish drainer ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 12 shows the cutlery rack of the dish drainer of FIG. 1, inisolation.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the rack element of a dish drainerthat is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the rack element of FIG. 13, affixedto a dish tray.

FIG. 15 shows the underside of the dish tray of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedish drainer of the present invention, wherein the rack element and thedish tray are one piece.

FIG. 17 shows the dish drainer of FIG. 16 in use.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the dish drainer of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the dish drainer of FIG. 16, in itsoperating environment, on the right side of a sink.

FIG. 20 is the top view of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a dish tray that can be pushed to the back of acountertop, while still capable of draining into a sink. With a small,user-selectable change in conformation, the dish tray can be configuredto sit on either side of a sink, with no requirement for additionalre-tooling, or for two different trays to be made.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the Dish Drainer is seen to comprise atray 20 and a rack 22. In certain embodiments (shown and described belowwith reference to FIGS. 16-18), the tray 20 and rack 22 elements may bemade from one piece of plastic or metal. However, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-15, the Dish Drainer comprises two separate pieces, onefor the tray 20 and one for the rack 22. The rack 22 is removablyaffixed to the tray 20 by means of the rack-receiving elements 32, shownin this embodiment as holes within the tray extension 30 of the tray 20,which receive the tray fasteners 48, which are shown as protrudingelements extending inwardly from the sidewall extension 50 of the rack22.

The Tray 20 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2-5. The tray 20 is defined bysidewalls 36, endwalls 26, and a central tray floor 34. The tray floor34 as shown is concave, allowing water dripping into the tray to poolaway from the two sidewalls 36, though the tray floor could also be ofany other shape that allows the water to pool away from the sidewalls(not shown). The endwalls 26 each comprise at least one upwardly turnedwall 52 portion, and a left outlet lip 24 or a right outlet lip 25. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the wall 52 extends from one sidewall36 to approximately the midpoint of the tray 20, and the left outlet lip24 extends from the other sidewall 36 to the lip 52, i.e. approximatelythe midpoint of the tray 20. However, as can be clearly envisioned, theleft outlet lip 24 may be of virtually any length, and may be locatedanywhere along the endwall 26, so long as it is off-centre (as describedfurther below), and surrounded by wall 52. Each endwall 26 comprises atleast one wall 52 and an outlet lip (either a left outlet lip 24 or aright outlet lip 25), as described above. The left outlet lip 24 andright outlet lip 25 are both off-centre, and located on the same side ofthe tray 20 (i.e. both left outlet lip 24 and right outlet lip 25 arecloser to the front sidewall 54 and more distal to the back sidewall56).

The tray 20 as shown also comprises lip extension 28, which is shown infurther detail in FIG. 18, described further below.

The tray 20 has an underside 58, shown in further detail in FIGS. 3-4.The underside comprises left feet 38, located on the same side as leftoutlet lip 24, and right feet 39, located on the same side as rightoutlet lip 25. As shown, the underside 58 has four feet 38, 39, thoughmore feet could be utilized. Alternatively, two, long feet, eachextending longitudinally between sidewalls 36 could be used.

Only two of the four feet 38 shown are actually used when the tray 20 isin use, as explained further below. Specifically, when the left outletlip 24 is placed in the sink 60, the left feet 38 are used to stabilizethe tray 20. When the right spout 25 is placed in the sink 60, the rightfeet 39 are used to stabilize the tray 20. The feet 38, 39 may have pads37 made of rubber or other material that will prevent the tray 20 fromslipping or moving when in use.

The underside 58 also comprises a wire support 40, attaching to the tray20 by hinge 44. The wire support 40 comprises a left base 42 and a rightbase 46. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wire support 40 can rotate fromone side of the underside 58 to the other. Shown in FIG. 3, the wiresupport 40 is on one side of the underside 58, with left base 42contacting the underside 58, and left base 46 extending out. In FIG. 4,the wire support 40 is shown on the other side of the underside 58, withleft base 46 contacting the underside and right base 42 extending out.The portion of the wire support 40 that extends out extends further thanfeet 38,39. The wire support 40 is shown in isolation in FIG. 5.

When in use, the tray 20 is placed on a countertop with its underside 58facing down. The tray 20 rests either on right feet 39 and right base 46(when in the configuration shown in FIG. 3), or on the left feet 38 andleft base 42 (when in the configuration shown in FIG. 4). As shown(though not necessarily in all embodiments), the tray 20 also rests ontray extension 30, in either configuration.

The Dish Drainer can be seen in use in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, theDish Drainer is placed on the right hand side of sink 60. The dishdrainer is placed with left outlet lip 24 extending into the sink, withlip extension 28 hanging in a generally vertical direction into the sink60. The tray 20 rests on left feet 38, tray extension 30, and the leftbase 42 of wire support 40. This configuration allows for the dishdrainer to be angled, preferably at an angle of between 4 and 5 degrees,relative to the countertop 62 on which it rests. As would be evident toa person skilled in the art, the angle is determined, in part, by thelength of the extension of left base 42, relative to the length of theextension of left feet 38.

In FIG. 7, the dish drainer is placed on the left hand side of sink 60.In this configuration, the wire support 40 is flipped and in theopposite configuration to that shown in FIG. 6 (i.e. it is placed in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 3). Thus, right outlet lip 25 extends intothe sink, with lip extension 28 hanging in a generally verticaldirection into the sink 60. The tray 20 rests on right feet 39, trayextension 30, and the right base 46 of wire support 40. Thisconfiguration allows for the dish drainer to be angled, preferably at anangle of between 4 and 5 degrees, relative to the countertop 62 on whichit rests.

As would be evident to a person skilled in the art, the dualconfiguration allows the dish drainer to be used on either side of asink, as shown. In either configuration, the dish dryer can be “pushed”to the back of the countertop 62, allowing the user to use the front ofthe countertop 62 for other things, due to the asymmetrical nature ofthe outlet lips, as shown in the top plan views of FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, and in isolation in FIGS. 10 and 11, the dish dryeralso comprises a rack 22 element, designed for holding dishes, cutlery,pots, pans, glasses, and other items wishing to be dried. The rack 22comprises a plurality of ribs 62 extending in a generally perpendicularorientation to the rack floor 68. The ribs 62 allow stacking of dishesin a generally vertical orientation when the dish dryer is in use. Wateron the dishes drip down onto the rack floor 68, through drain holes 64and onto the tray floor 34, where it moves towards the lowest point onthe tray floor 34, and out through the spout 24, 25. The spout 24, 25 towhich the water drains out depends on the configuration of the tray 20,as described above. The rack 22 may also have vertical wall 66 extendingfrom its end walls, both as structural support for dishes placed withinit, and to prevent water from dripping out of the rack 22 in a mannerthat would circumvent tray 20. Tray fasteners 32 protrude from rackextension 70 and mate with rack receiving elements 32 to removably affixthe rack 22 to the tray 20.

The rack 20 may further comprise a cutlery rack 78; the cutlery rack 78may be a part of the rack moulding, or it may be removably affixed, asshown. FIG. 12 shows the cutlery rack 78 in isolation; by having aremovably affixed cutlery rack 78, it permits the user to change theendwall 26 to which the cutlery rack 78 is affixed; in this manner, thecutlery rack 78 can be oriented in a manner that is desirable dependingon whether the dish dryer is positioned to the left or to the right handside of a sink 60. The cutlery rack 78 features protrusions 72 thataffix the cutlery rack 78 to an opening 74 in the rack.

An alternative embodiment of the rack 22 is shown in FIG. 13. This rack22 comprises ribs 62, a cutlery rack 78, and drain holes 64. However,the rack 22 is affixed to the tray 20 in a different manner—utilizingclips 76 which attach to sidewalls 36. This embodiment of rack 22 isshown affixed to a tray 20 in FIG. 14.

A further alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 15. Here, wire support40 can be moved from one (left) position to another (right) position byremoving it in its entirety and placing it in a different hinge 44position.

An alternative embodiment of the dish dryer can be seen in FIGS. 16 to20. In this embodiment, the key elements of both the tray 20 and therack 22 are moulded or fabricated out of one piece of metal or plastic.In this design, the tray floor 34 is also the rack floor, and, as such,the rack floor does not require drain holes. This embodiment of the dishdryer still comprises a left outlet lip 24, a right outlet lip 25, twoend walls 26, a wall 52, ribs 62, and a tray extension 30, but allcomponents are built onto one structure, rather than two. Note that,because of this, this embodiment also does not require rack receivingelements 32 or tray fasteners 48. FIG. 16 shows the dish dryer inuse—holding a dish between two ribs 62. FIG. 17 shows a top view of thisembodiment, while FIGS. 18 and 19 show the embodiment in the context ofa sink 60.

While the above describes several embodiments, the invention sodescribed is not to be so restricted. Other embodiments which utilizethe teachings herein set forth are intended to be within the scope andspirit of the subject invention.

1. A dish tray comprising: a. a floor, having an underside, a topside, aright edge, a left edge, a front edge, and a back edge, and having aconcave shape from said front edge to said back edge; b. a right endwallextending upwardly from said right edge; c. a left endwall extendingupwardly from said left edge; d. said left endwall, right endwall, frontedge and back edge forming a rim; e. a gap in said right endwall,forming a right outlet lip, said gap located more proximal to the frontedge than to the back edge; f. a second gap in said left endwall,forming a left outlet lip, said gap located more proximal to the frontedge than to the back edge; g. an elevation means, for elevating oneedge of the floor relative to another edge of the floor; and having atleast two, user selectable configurations; h. wherein in the firstconfiguration, when the tray is placed on a horizontal surface, the leftedge is higher than the right edge; i. and wherein in the secondconfiguration, when the tray is placed on a horizontal surface, theright edge is higher than the left edge.
 2. A dish tray comprising: a. afloor, having an underside, a topside, a right edge, a left edge, afront edge, and a back edge; b. a right endwall extending upwardly fromsaid right edge; c. a left endwall extending upwardly from said leftedge; d. a front sidewall extending upwardly from said front edge; e. aback sidewall extending upwardly from said back edge; f. said leftendwall, right endwall, front sidewall and back sidewall forming a rim;g. a gap in said right endwall, forming a right outlet lip, said gaplocated more proximal to the front edge than to the back edge; h. asecond gap in said left endwall, forming a left outlet lip, said gaplocated more proximal to the front edge than to the back edge; i. anelevation means, for elevating one edge of the floor relative to anotheredge of the floor; and having at least two, user selectableconfigurations; j. wherein in the first configuration, when the tray isplaced on a horizontal surface, the left edge is higher than the rightedge; k. and wherein in the second configuration, when the tray isplaced on a horizontal surface, the right edge is higher than the leftedge.
 3. The dish tray of claim 1, wherein, in either configuration, theangle of the floor to the surface on which the floor is placed isbetween 4 and 5 degrees.
 4. The dish tray of claim 1 wherein theelevation means is a wire support attached to the underside of the floorand capable of rotating from a first position more proximal to the rightedge to a second position more proximal to the left edge.
 5. The dishtray of claim 1 wherein the elevation means is at least one removablefoot said foot capable of affixing to a right foot dock located on theunderside of the floor and more proximal to the right edge than to theleft edge, and also capable of affixing to a left foot dock located onthe underside of the floor and more proximal to the left edge than tothe right edge.
 6. The dish tray of claim 5 wherein the at least oneremovable foot comprises two removable feet.
 7. The dish tray of claim 1further comprising at least one permanent right foot located on anunderside of the floor and more proximal to the right edge than to theleft edge, and at least one permanent left foot located on an undersideof the floor and more proximal to the left edge than to the right edge.8. The dish tray of claim 4 further comprising at least one permanentright foot located on the underside of the floor and more proximal tothe right edge than to the left edge, and at least one permanent leftfoot located on the underside of the floor and more proximal to the leftedge than to the right edge.
 9. The dish tray of claim 8 wherein theelevation means has a base that is more distal to the floor than adistal end of the permanent right foot and a distal end of the permanentleft foot.
 10. The dish tray of claim 5 further comprising at least onepermanent right foot located on the underside of the floor and moreproximal to the right edge than to the left edge, and at least onepermanent left foot located on the underside of the floor and moreproximal to the left edge than to the right edge.
 11. The dish tray ofclaim 10 wherein the removable foot has a base that is more distal tothe floor than a distal end of the permanent right foot and a distal endof the permanent left foot.
 12. A dish drainer comprising: a. the dishtray of claim 1; b. a rack element positioned on the topside of the dishtray;
 13. The dish drainer of claim 12 wherein the dish tray and therack element are one piece.
 14. The dish drainer of claim 12 wherein thedish tray and the rack element are two separate pieces.
 15. The dishdrainer of claim 14 wherein the dish tray and the rack element areremovably affixed to one another.
 16. The dish drainer of claim 12wherein the rack element comprises: a. a rack element floor; b. aplurality of ribs extending in a generally perpendicular orientation tothe floor; wherein said ribs allow the stacking of dishes in a generallyvertical orientation.
 17. The dish drainer of claim 16 furthercomprising at least two drain hole in said rack element floor,configured such that, when a wet dish is stacked, water drains throughat least one drain hole onto the topside of the dish tray floor.
 18. Thedish drainer of claim 16 wherein the rack element floor and the dishtray floor are the same element.
 19. The dish drainer of claim 12further comprising at least one cutlery rack mount on the rack element,said cutlery rack mount capable of being affixed to a cutlery rack. 20.The dish drainer of claim 19 wherein the at least one cutlery rack mountcomprises a left cutlery rack mount, proximal to the left endwall, and aright cutlery rack mount, proximal to the right endwall.
 21. The dishdrainer of claim 20 further comprising a cutlery rack capable ofaffixing to the right cutlery rack mount, and, in an alternativeconfiguration capable of affixing to the left cutlery rack mount, saidcutlery rack being capable of holding cutlery in a generally verticalorientation, said cutlery rack having at least one cutlery drain holeconfigured such that, when wet cutlery is placed in said cutlery rack,water drains through the cutlery drain hole onto the topside of the dishtray floor.